Arizona first responders climb 2,071 steps in honor of 9/11 victims

Arizona first responders, military members and their families participated in the 100 Club of Arizona's 9/11 Tower Challenge on Friday, Sept. 8, 2017. (Photo: Norm Hall Photography)

PHOENIX — Hundreds of active and retired first responders, military members and their families climbed more than 2,000 steps in Glendale on Friday in honor of the victims who lost their lives on 9/11.

About 300 people participated in the 100 Club of Arizona‘s 9/11 Tower Challenge at Gila River Arena, where they climbed 2,071 steps — the same number of steps in each of the Twin Towers — while carrying the names of first responders who died on that day.

It was the club’s second-annual challenge, which raises money to support the 100 Club of Arizona and the Arizona Fighter Country Foundation, which supports military members and their families who are stationed at Luke Air Force base.

For those who were unable to make it to Friday’s event but would still like to support the organization, there will be similar events scheduled at the Walkup Skydome at Northern Arizona University and Arizona Stadium at the University of Arizona in Tucson on Monday, according to a press release.